Funeral services for Howard L. Gripp, 75, East Moline, are 6PM Friday at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to services. Mr. Gripp died peacefully Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at Genesis Medical Center-Illini Campus, Silvis. At Howard's request his body will be cremated following services. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the VFW 2153, 1721 7th Street, Moline. Private family committal services will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers; memorials may be made to Quad City Animal Welfare Center, Milan, IL. Howard was born July 9, 1933 in Greenfield, WI, the son of George James and Mary Estelle (Morehead) Gripp. He served with the 649th Quartermaster Petroleum Supply Co., the 34th Quartermaster Bn., Sharpe Gen. Depot, Lathrop, CA. Howard was a volunteer fireman with the Hampton (IL) Fire Department. He retired in 1984 from International Harvester Works, East Moline. Not quite ready for retirement he went to work at Sears Mfg. for several years after that. He married Charlotte Exbom on December 10, 1960 in Moline. They were married nearly 43 years when she passed away on September 19, 2003. He was a devoted husband and father who enjoyed traveling, reading, woodworking and spending time surrounded by his family. Survivors include his children; Cheryl (Don) Avis of Macomb, MI; Becky Gripp of East Moline, Howard (Sherri) Gripp Jr. of East Moline; stepson, Glen Frese; daughters-in-law Mary Peterson and Cindy Frese; grandchildren Shelley Frese, Brett (Mary Ellen) Frese, Debbie Avis, Katie Avis, Aaron Avis, Christine Avis and special grandson Zachary Avis; great grandsons Tanner Frese, Drew Nelson and Eddie Clark; as well as many nieces and nephews, including his long-lost niece Mary Thomas of Del City, OK He was preceded in death by his wife, his sister and his parents.